Dozens of revellers have been arrested at an annual pro-cannabis picnic in Melbourne’s Flagstaff Gardens.
The 402 rally in the city’s CBD aims to raise awareness for the legalisation of cannabis and occurs annually worldwide on April 20 or 4/20.
Recreational use of cannabis is banned in all Australian states.
More than 250 people attended the event, which was swarming with police dog units and officers on the ground searching attendees.
About 36 offenders were arrested and processed for drug related offences.
Police search a man at the 420 picnic at Flagstaff Gardens. The event promoted the legalisation of cannabis
Around 250 people attended the annual pro-cannabis event in Melbourne
Most were issued with cautions while four will receive a summons to attend court at a later date.
‘While we respect the right for lawful and peaceful protests, we will not tolerate any criminal activity,’ a Victoria Police spokesperson said.
‘It is our role to enforce the law.’
This year’s event, featuring the slogan ‘Who are we hurting?’, included state MPs from the Legalise Cannabis Australia Party.
Western Metro Region MP David Ettershank and South-East Metro MP Rachel Payne indicated they would be in attendance.
In a post to her Instagram on Saturday, Ms Payne called for an ‘end to the prohibition’ adjoined with a picture of what appeared to be a lit cigarette.
‘Looking forward to catching up with the canna (cannabis) community today,’ she said.
Officers from the police dog squad were also in attendance
Both MPs appeared at an earlier event on Friday outside of state parliament run by the artist collective, The Craze Co.
Posts by the group show the pair in front of what appeared to be caged plants with signs reading ‘The war on weed, a royal failure indeed’
Only about 1.7 per cent of Australians in the ACT have access to decriminalised and recreational cannabis, according to advocates.
Recreational cannabis is otherwise illegal in every Australian state, although NSW is set to launch a probe into its prohibition.
A number of countries have legalised marijuana for medical and recreational purposes, including Canada, the Netherlands, and Portugal.
NSW Police were contacted for comment.
Victorian MP’s David Limbrick of the Libertarian Party, Georgie Purcell of the Animal Justice Party, Rachel Payne and David Ettershank of Legalise Cannabis Australia and Aiv Puglielli of The Greens attended Saturday’s event.
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